health and safety plan solid waste management unit assessment

METHYL ETHYL KETONE 41-11
The movement of methyl ethyl ketone in ground water may result in
discharge to surface water. As a result, ingestion exposures may occur
resulting from the use of surface waters as drinking water supplies,
and dermal exposures may result from the recreational use of surface
waters. Such exposures are likely to be lower than those from drinking
contaminated ground water due to biodegradation and/or volatilization
of methyl ethyl ketone in surface water. Any pathways related to the
uptake by aquatic organisms or domestic animals from surface waters are
likely to be less significant than other sources of exposure due to the
low BCF for methyl ethyl ketone.
41.2.4 Other Sources of Human Exposure
Methyl ethyl ketone is widely used as a industrial solvent,
coating, and adhesive. As such, there are a number of sources of human
exposure. Data, however, are somewhat lacking. For example, it is not
commonly measured in drinking water.
The production and use of methyl ethyl ketone has led to iis
presence in the atmosphere. Brodzinksy and Singh (84) summarized air
monitoring data for a number of pollutants. For methyl ethyl ketone,
they
for
reported 181 data points
these samples were less
for
than
urban/suburban
the detection
areas.
limit.
All
In
results
sourcedominated
areas, the median concentration reported was 0.19 pg/m3 for
33 data points.
Dermal exposure is expected to be coaunon due to the prevalence of
methyl ethyl ketone as a solvent in various products. For example, two
surveys were conducted in Japan on the solvent content of a variety of
products. They found methyl ethyl ketone in 26% of the paints, 21% of
the inks, 23% of the adhesives, 11% of the thinners, and 8% of the
degreasers that were sampled. While most of these products were used
in occupational settings, some &y be used by consumers (1140,1141).
The ketones are naturally occurring components of food. Lande &
A. (1137) reviewed the literature and found methyl ethyl ketone in a
wide variety of foods including cheese (0.3 ppm), milk (0.08 ppm),
cream (0.2 ppm), bread, oranges and rum. This compound appears to be a
common component of the diet although a total exposure from this source
can not be evaluated without additional data (‘1137).
41.3 HUMAN HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
41.3 .l Animal Studies
41.3.1.1 Carcinogenicity
No data were available with regard to the carcinogenic potential
of methyl ethyl ketone.
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